Top 5 Must Do / Must See / Must Experience

• Cecil's Mill Historic District
• Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
• Leonardtown
• Family Fun at the JumpYard
• Budds Creek Motocross & Speedway

St. Mary’s County is situated on a peninsula bounded by the Patuxent River, the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. It’s part of the Southern Maryland region located directly south of Washington, D.C. The route loop formed by U.S. Route 5 and U.S. Route 235 makes it easy to get around the county. Group-experienced franchise hotels and restaurants are clustered in the California-Lexington Park area, while the historic county seat of Leonardtown retains its small town charm with shops, galleries and restaurants. Historic sites and attractions are located along the water on all sides of the peninsula and together, tell a rich colonial and maritime story. The county also abounds in religious heritage sites. The county has numerous group friendly waterfront restaurants perfect for crab feasts. Unique shopping may be had in the Cecil’s Mill Historic District and in Leonardtown.

www.stmarysmd.com/tourism

Cecil's Mill Historic District

Located in one of Maryland’s first Industrial Districts, Cecil’s Old Mill was originally built in 1812 as a cotton/textile factory, then rebuilt into a grist and saw mill. Today, the mill exhibits artifacts including its working water wheel. Throughout the mill, artisans display handmade crafts and original art for sale. The historic district also includes Cecil’s Country Store and Post Office. Explore history and shop for unique crafts and original art at Cecil's Mill Historic District! More about Cecil's Mill Historic District.

Patuxent River Naval Air Museum

During WWII, the U.S. Navy established a flight-testing center at Patuxent River in St. Mary’s County. Here, major advances in aircraft such as the Harrier, Tomcat, and Osprey were evaluated. This museum is one of the nation's only official Navy Museums dedicated to naval aviation research, development, testing, and evaluation. Exhibits include the A-7 and F-4 Flight Trainers, “Iron Maiden”, the rubber “Inflatoplane”, the “Rotocycle” portable helicopter, the unmanned “Pioneer”, and other experimental aircraft, plus displays on the development of ejection seat technology and G-force simulation. More about the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.

The Amish Community

St. Mary’s County has both Amish and Mennonite communities located in the Charlotte Hall, Mechanicsville and Loveville areas. Highway signs warn motorists to stay alert for buggies on the way to market. Amish farms are recognizable by their windmills and lack of electric lines. Signs offering items such as quilts, bedding plants and hand carved furniture are posted at farm entrances of those who wish to conduct business. Amish and Mennonite baked goods are sold at the north county farmers markets, which also feature produce, flowers, and Amish canned goods. More about The Amish Community.

Leonardtown First Fridays

On the first Friday of each month, historic Leonardtown's art galleries, restaurants, cafes, gift shops, antique shops, bookstores, etc. open their doors to showcase local artists and/or serve specials at their establishments from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. The town hosts a free evening of art, entertainment, and specials where people gather to enjoy local art, the company of others, and even a free glass of wine. More about Leonardtown First Fridays. More about Leonardtown First Fridays.

Go Kayaking and Canoeing

The best way to explore the beauty of the St. Mary’s County peninsula is via waterway! Rent a kayak / canoe from one of our local outfitters, such as BluHaven Piers or McIntosh Run Outfitters, and enjoy a peaceful, scenic journey through some of St. Mary’s County’s inlets, creeks, and coves. Canoeing and kayaking lets you experience the world from a new perspective and get some good exercise doing it. Make sure to bring your friends and family for some great outdoor fun in St. Mary's County! More about Kayaking and Canoeing

Religious Freedom Byway

Take a scenic tour of St. Mary's, Charles and Calvert Counties in Southern Maryland! The Religious Freedom Byway incorporates many of the nation's oldest churches, the site of the first Roman Catholic Mass held in English-speaking America, and Maryland's colonial capital, Historic St. Mary's City. The byway traces the roots of religious freedom throughout Southern Maryland, beginning with the first colonists that landed at St. Clement's Island and then went on to settle in Historic St. Mary's City. More about the Religious Freedom Byway.

Historic Churches

St. Mary’s County has a wealth of churches and religious sites dating from the colonial era through the mid 20th century. Starting with St. Clement’s Island, site of the first Catholic Mass in North America, and continuing on through the ravishing of Chaptico’s Christ Episcopal Church during the War of 1812, and through the construction of a non-denominational Victorian-Gothic Chapel in Charlotte Hall, to the establishment of St. Peter Claver Catholic School for black children in an era of segregation, these sacred places tell a fascinating story. Make sure to also stop at St. George’s Episcopal Church, which is home to the oldest Episcopal Parish in Maryland. More about the Historic Churches

Leonardtown

As much of small-town America is falling victim to big box stores and endless chain restaurants, Leonardtown is going its own way. Leonardtown, the St. Mary’s County Seat, is a bustling town of fine restaurants, unique shops, and old-fashioned charm. Traces of its history can be found in historic buildings, churches and businesses throughout the downtown area. The town’s best kept secret is that it is a waterfront town. It offers a brand new Wharf public park which connects a 3-mile stretch of waterfront with a park at each end and facilities for boating, kayaking and canoeing. Leonardtown also offers exquisite and family-friendly restaurants open for lunch and dinner. More about Leonardtown

Family Fun at the JumpYard

Let your kids experience the ultimate fun at the JumpYard. This indoor amusement center offers two adventurous inflatable obstacle courses, one bouncer with a giant slide, an inflatable toddler's area, large inflatable balls and also toys for smaller children. Parents have a full view of the play area and will receive complimentary coffee and wireless internet access. The JumpYard also offers birthday packages for a fun-filled private birthday party with jumping fun, cakes and pizza. If you visit their website prior to going, you can download a coupon for a reduced entrance fee! More about Family Fun at the JumpYard

23115 Leonard Hall Drive
P.O. Box 653
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Tel: (301) 475-4200
Toll Free: (800) 327-9023
Fax: (301) 475-4414
Email: visitus@stmarysmd.com
Internet: www.stmarysmd.com

Carolyn Laray
Tourism Manager
Email: carolyn.laray@stmarysmd.com